A survey conducted by the Creative Group and AIGA reveals that many creative professionals feel their organizations are not taking enough risks, with 45% stating there's some risk-taking but not enough, and 26% feeling their teams play it too safe. Additionally, only 23% feel very empowered by their managers to take creative risks, while over half feel comfortable presenting new ideas. To foster a culture of risk-taking, recommendations include setting clear values, empowering employees, and creating a blame-free environment to promote learning from mistakes.

1. REALITY CHECK
COMPANIES MAY THINK THEY’RE PUSHING
THE ENVELOPE, BUT THEIR EMPLOYEES DISAGREE
We all know masterpieces rarely happen without some creative risk-taking, but how empowered
do creative teams feel when it comes to breaking the mold? The Creative Group and AIGA
surveyed more than 750 creative professionals nationwide, and the results may surprise you.

2. HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR IN-HOUSE TEAM WHEN IT
COMES TO CREATIVE RISK-TAKING WITH PROJECTS?
1% Too many risks are taken that
result in a negative outcome
28% We take the right
amount of risks
COMPANIES AREN’T TAKING
ENOUGH RISKS
45% We do some risk-taking,
but not enough
26% We play it much too safe
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide.

3. WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR JOB, HOW EMPOWERED BY YOUR MANAGER
DO YOU FEEL TO TAKE CREATIVE RISKS WITH PROJECTS?
23% Very empowered
EMPLOYEES DON’T FEEL
TOO EMPOWERED
48% Somewhat
empowered
28% Not very
empowered
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide. Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

4. HOW COMFORTABLE DO YOU FEEL PRESENTING
NEW IDEAS TO YOUR MANAGER OR TEAM MEMBERS?
54% Very comfortable
IT’S HARD FOR EMPLOYEES
TO SHARE NEW IDEAS
33% Somewhat
comfortable
9% Somewhat
uncomfortable
3% Very
uncomfortable
The Creative Group survey of more than 750 in-house AIGA members nationwide. Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

5. Just over half of creative professionals
feel their organization is perceived as
innovative or progressive.

6. NO RISKS, NO REWARDS
3 TIPS FOR BUILDING A CULTURE
OF GREATER RISK-TAKING

7. 1 SET THE STAGE
Be clear about the actions
and behaviors your
organization values.
Foster and reward those
behaviors consistently.

8. 2 EMPOWER EMPLOYEES
Set up your staff members for
risk-taking success.
Give employees stretch
assignments and difficult
problems to solve.
Celebrate successes along
the way.

9. 3 NOT ALL RISKS PAY OFF,
SO DON’T POINT FINGERS
Avoid assigning blame when
a mistake is made.
Refuse to tolerate team
members who place blame.
Use the opportunity to learn
from errors to minimize the
chance of a repeat.

10. You can find additional information about
The Creative Team of the Future,
including our latest survey data and
expert interviews on the TCG Blog.